Filter.



W. WHEELER.

FILTER.

Patented Aug. 24, 1915 Inventor mllxam Wheeler.

APPLICATION EIEED IUNE 26, I9I3. 1,151,313.

WILLIAM WHEELER, 0F CONCGBD, MASSACHUSETTS.

FILTER.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 24, 1915.

Application led June 26, 1913. Serial No. 775,862.

This invention relates to filters, and among other objects provides a simple and effective bottom for the filter bed.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing. wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a portion of an illustrative filter embodying the invention; and Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a plan of the filter bed bottom.

Referring to the drawing. the illustrative filter shown therein as embodying the invention comprises a filter bottom 1 of cement or other` suitable material formed to present cells or depreions 3 preferably pyramidal in shape and conveniently arranged in rows. Each depression terminates at its apex in an outlet or opening 5. The out-- lets of each rou communicate with al conduit or channel beneath and common thereto and the channels of the several rows in turn communicate with a main conduit or channel 9. These channels are preferably formed in the cement foundation beneath the filter bed 1. Above the filter bottom is a filter bed of sand or other suitable material 13 which may rest on and be supported by a layer ll of graded gravel or other suit-able mn terial. The lnuid to be filtered is introduced on top of the filter bed and percolates or passes down through the same to and through the gravel layer and thence passes out through the depressions and their outlets to the channels beneath the same.

It is neceary from time to time in lters of this type to wash out the filtration bed to free the same from impurities. This is done by forcing water back through the channels, up through the outlets. the depreions, and on up through the filtration bed. The water in rising up through the bed carries with it impurities which rise to the top of the water above the filtration bed and are there removed.

By this invention there is provided a construction which among other things eii'ectively distributes the washing water to the filtration material. To this end each depression is provided with an assembly of liquid distributing elements shown here in the form of true spheres l5 made of cement or other suitable material. The number, form and size of these elements may be varied, but it is found in practice that an as sembly of tive large spheres is very effective. One of these spheres is placed at the apex of the pyramidal depression and four others rest partly on the apex sphere and partly on the Walls of the depression. To prevent the working of gravel into the spaces between the four top spheres and between said spheres and the walls of the depression. smaller spheres 17 of glazed pottery. cement or other suitable material may be placed on said top spheres. This arra ement of spheres in the depressions eectivey supports the gravel and prevents the latter from working down into and choking the depression and at the same time renders substantially the entire top of the depression available to collect and discharge the filtered water. The depressions provided with the spheres described are very advantageous in distributing the washing water up to the bed. The water on entering the depression strikes the apex sphere and is deilectedthereby partly diagonally outwardly to the walls and corners of the pyramidal depression and partly up and around said apex sphere to and around the four upper spheres. The water is further deflected and distributed by the four upper spheres and the smaller spheres at the top of the depression. The spheres are formed with very smooth surfaces so that they present very little friction to the water and enable the latter to readily slip past them. A considerable portion of the water is defiected diagonally to the walls and corners of the depression and tends to follow along said walls by adhesion rather than spatter back toward the center of the depression. The

tom provided with a series of openings therein and an assembly of large, relatively fixed, water-distributing spheres located over each opening and arranged in the form of an inverted pyramid, the lowermost spheie of each assembly of spheres being larger than the opening over which it is positioned.

T. In a filter the combination of a. bottom having a series of openings therein and an aembly of large, water-distributing elements located over each opening and arranged in the form of an inverted pyramid with the apex element over said opening, the lowermost element of each assembly of elements being suiliciently large to overlie at least the major portion of the opening over which it is positioned, and means for maintaining said elements relatively fixed whereby to distribute an upward stream of water uniformly to filtration material above the bottom.

S. In a ilter the combination of a tapering cell with a free and unobstructed opening through the lower end thereof, a waterdistributing sphere located over aid opening and supported by and rting against side walls of the cell, and a plurality of spheres above and resting partially on said sphere and partially against the walls of said cell, and means for maintaining said spheres in said positions, said spheres bein suiliciently large to provide ample passages tween one another and the walls of said cell for efecting a uniform predetermined upward distribntion of washing water to filtration material above the bottom.

9. In a filter the'combination of a bottom provided with a series of cells each with an opening at its lower end, a. waterdistributing sphere located over said opening and resting against walls of said cell, a laver of similar spheres located over said sphere` and a layer of smaller spheres located over said first named layer,v said cell and spheres forming passages for distributing sig-ca um of water to filtration material above t em.

10. In a filter the combination of a bottom provided with a series of cells. each having an opening therein and a water-distributing sphere held stationary over said opening. said opening having provision permitting the flow of water therethrough past said sphere, and a plurality of Spheres held partially on said sphere and the walls of said cell for further distributing the upward flowing water.

ll. In a lter the combination of a b0ttorn provided with a pyramidal cell having an opening through the apex end thereof, a relatively large apex sphere located over said opening. and four similar spheres, each resting partially on said apex sphere and partially on the walls of said cell, said spheres having ample passages between them and the walls of said cell and between one another for distributing washing water uniformly upward to filter material.

12. In a filter the combination of a concrete bottom formed with a series of tapering cells therein having openings at their lower ends, a sphere located and held over each opening, and a layer of spheres held on said first named sphere and walls of said cell, said opening and cell having provision permitting the distribution of Washing water up past said spheres.

13. In a filter, the combination of a bottom provided with a series of tapering cells each having an opening through the lower end thereof and a series of relatively fixed water distributing elements positioned over each opening, to distribute the water upward, one at least of said elements being individually of suilicient weight to remain fixed during said upward distribution of the Water.

14. In a filter, the combination of a bottom provided with a tapering cell having an opening through the lower end thereof, and a relatively fixed water distributing element positioned over said opening and of suilicient size to overlie at least the major portion of the opening, thereby to distribute the water upward, and maintained substantially undisturbed by the upward flow of water past it.

15. In a filter, the combination of a bottom provided with a tapering cell having an opening through the lower end thereof, and a relatively fixed water distributing element having a curved periphery positioned over said opening and of suilicient sim to overlie at least the major portion of the opening, thereby to distribute the water upward, and maintained substantially undisturbed by the upward How of water past it.

16. In a filter. the combination of a bottom provided with a cell having an opening through the lower end thereof. and a t of water distributing elements positioned over said opening, and maintained relatively fixed through their own weight against the upward How of water past them.

17. In a filter. the combination of a bottom provided with a cell having au opening through the lower end thereof. a series of water distributing elements positioned over said opening. and filtration material resting directlv on said distributing elements, said elements being sepamtelj,v maintained substantiallv fixed against the upward flow of water past them. thereby permitting said filtration material to rest directly on said elements without disturbance during the upward How of water.

1S. In a filter, the combination of a bottom provided with a cell having an opening through the lovver vend thereof, a relatively xed water distributin element positioned over said opening an overlying at least the major portion thereof and so related thereto that the Water flows outside of and around said element and filtration material resting directly on said distributing element, the hitter being maintained relavely fixed the upward flow of water past it independently of said filtration material, thereby said material to rest directly on said element without disturbance din-ing the upward ilow of water.

19, in a filter, the combination of a bottomv provided with a number of tapering cells each having an opening through the lower end thereof, a series of vater distributing positioned over each opening and independently and separately maintained snblantially undisturbed bv the upward flou of water past them, and filtration material resting directly on said distributing elements 20. In a filter, a bottom provided with a plurality of openings,v a bed of filtration material above said bottom, and means between said material and said openings to eect a uniform, upward distribution of water through said bed, said means including an element for each opening of snilcient size to overlie at least the major portion of such openings and so related thereto that the water flows outside of and around said elements.

:21. In a filter, a bottom provided with a plurality of openings, a bed of filtration material above the bottom, and means consist-ing of a relatively small number of elements between said openings and bed to eEect the snbdivion of the upward streams entering through said openinvs, into a plurality of smaller streams an the uniform presentation of said smaller streams past said elements to the bed of filtration material, the element nearest each opening overlying at least the major portion thereof and so related thereto that the water flows outside of and arolmcl said element.

'22. In a filter, a bottom provided with a series of closelyr adjacent cells, distributed over the entire bottom, and each having an opening at the lower end thereof, a bed of filtration material above the bottom, and means positioned in said cells and4 consisting of a relatively Snail number ofV large elements to effect the subdivision of the upwurd streams entering through said openings, into a plurality of smaller streams and the uniform presentation of said smaller streams to the bed of filtration material, the lowermost element in each cell being of sufcient size to over-lie at least the major portion o'f the opening thereof, and so related thereto that the water flows outside of and 6a around the same.

23. In a filter, the combination of a bottom provided with a. cell having an opening through the lower end thereof and a set of water distributing elements positioned over said opening, each of said elements being indiriduallv and separatelyr maintained substantially fixed against the upward How of water st them.

24. n a Elta', the combination of a bottom provided with a tapering cell having an opening through the lower part thereof, and an assembly of water distributing elements small in number and symmetrically arranged in said cell to permit the upward paage of water past said elements, the latter being substantially fixed against said upward passage of water, the lowermo element in said cell being of suicient size to overlie at least the major portion of the opening thereof and so related thereto that the water Hows outside of and around the same.

25. In a filter, the combination of a bottom provided with a tapering cell having an opening through the lower end thereof and as assembly of water distributing elements, small in number, and each having a predev termined position in said cell above said opening and each maintained in its position substantially unmoved by wid upward passage of water, the lowermost ele-ment in said cell being of sullicient size to overlie at least the major portion of the opening thereof and so related thereto that the water flows outside of and around the same` :26. In a lilter, the combination of a bottom having an o g therethrough, and a series of relative y fixed water distributing elements positioned over said opening, the lowermost of said elements being of suflicient size to overlie at least the major portion of said opening and so related thereto that the water Hows outside of and around said element, and the other members of said series each being of a size at least approximating that of said lowermost element.

QT. In a filter, the combination of a bot tom having an opening therethrough, and a series of relatively fixed water distributing elements positioned over mid opening, the lowermost of said elements being of sufficient size to overlie at least the major portion of said opening and so related thereto [hat the water 'lows outside of and around said element, and the other members of said series each being of a size at least approximating that 0I' said lowennostelement, and filtration material resting directly on said distributing elements.

28. Ina filter, the combination of a bottom provided with an opening, and a series of relatively fixed water distributing elements positioned over said opening, to distribute the Water upward, one at least of said elements being individually of suflicient weight to remain substantially fixed during the upward distribution of the water.

5 29. In a filter, the combination of a bottom, provided with an opening, and a. rela.- tively fixed water distributing element positioned over said opening and of sufficient size to overlie the major portion of the open- 10 ing, thereby to distribute the water upward,

and remain substantially undisturbed by the upward fiow of Water past it.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speoiiication, in the presence o two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM WHEELER.

Witnesses:

HENRY T. WILLIAMS, Louis A. JONES.

It is hereby certified that, in Letters Patent No. 1,151,313, granted August 24, 1915, upon the application of Willimn Whcnlvr, of Cumaorrl, Massachusetts, for an imp'rovement in Filtvrs," an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows/Page 4, line S11, claim 25, for the word as read an; and that the said Letters P`nlent should he rend with this correction therein that the same may conform L0 th record of 1,1m wise in Lhe Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st dymf Svpiunihur, A 1)., 1915.

[SEAL] J. T. NEWTUN` Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

